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Designer Aparna Vijayan of Ridgewood, N.J.-based Ulrich Inc. took on a project with one client and two kitchens: one for their food business and one for their home. Shown here is the commercial kitchen for their Greek food brand, Kontos.

The Kontos brand has an international presence, and a lot of their clients and vendors come to this commercial kitchen from various parts of the world to participate in demos and new product launches,” said Vijayan. “This space we designed had to appeal to a global market and had to reflect a modern aesthetic sensibility incorporating cutting-edge materials.”

The triangular layout of the space allows seating for 12 guests and easy vantage points of the prep and cooking space. Easy-care materials were used throughout the heavily used space, including laminate cabinetry, quartz and concrete countertops and a metal and glass backsplash.

The clients’ home, in contrast, has a very traditional appeal. Espresso-glazed, cream-colored cabinets are topped with engraved moldings, and lighted, glass-paned cabinets showcase crystal glassware. Perimeter counters and two large mahogany stained islands warm the large room.

“We wanted a light fixture that married the two different finishes in the kitchen and highlighted some of the design patterns we used in the glass doors and moldings,” said Vijayan. “This chandelier seemed like a perfect blend of all those details and finish tones.”